editorial immunology and cell biology of parasitic...

Hindawi Publishing CorporationBioMed Research InternationalVolume 2013, Article ID 101268, 4 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/101268

EditorialImmunology and Cell Biology of Parasitic Diseases 2013

Luis I. Terrazas,1 Abhay R. Satoskar,2 Miriam Rodriguez-Sosa,1 and Jorge Morales-Montor3

1 Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico,Avenida de Los Barrios No. 1 Los Reyes Iztacala, 54090 Tlalnepantla, Edo. De MEX, Mexico

2Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Starling Loving Hall M418, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA3Departamento de Inmunologıa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico,Circuito Escolar S/N Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico, DF, Mexico

Correspondence should be addressed to Luis I. Terrazas; [email protected]

Received 14 April 2013; Accepted 14 April 2013

Copyright © 2013 Luis I. Terrazas et al.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

In this, our third, special issue we have chosen 19 reports,including both original and review papers, which represent60% of the papers submitted to this new special issue. Thisis a sample that we have maintained the quality of thesubmissions as an essential requirement to get published inthis new era of BioMed Research International (formerlyJournal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology).

This special issue was supported mainly by some of theattendants to our V Mexican Immunoparasitology meeting,which has been continuously holding every two years sincestarting in 2004. This event was created with the expectationto meet Mexican scientist and overseas guest scientists inter-ested in the field of immunoparasitology, given that everytime is more difficult to find right places on parasitologicalcongresses as well as in immunological congresses to discussthis interface of knowledge, which has great importance.

Infections by parasites, starvation, insufficient shelter, andlack of clean water sources are the greatest barriers to healthin our world’s growing population. Several of the parasiticinfections that are very common throughout the worldfrequently occur with mild, obscure symptoms or none at all.It is common for a host to be asymptomatic, which makesmore difficult both the diagnostic and the on time treatment.Parasitic infections that are thought to be the most prevalentworldwide include toxoplasmosis, ascariasis, toxocariasis,hookworm disease, amoebiasis, and trichomoniasis; many ofthem are discussed in this special issue.The scope of this topiccould be immense, as there are hundreds of parasitic species

that infect humans, and also because parasitic infections areconsidered as one of the leading causes of high morbidityand mortality in underdeveloped countries, mainly in chil-dren and the elderly, affecting the physical and intellectualcapabilities of such population and resulting in high expensesin treatment and rehabilitation. Moreover, in recent years themassive migration of people from the south countries, whereparasitic diseases are common, towards developed countriesfueled that many parasitic infections are now reemerging andgenerating new health problems at a global level.

The knowledge about parasitic diseases at different levels,such as life cycles, structures,molecular biology, developmentof new drugs and vaccines, and its ability to escape ormodulate different mechanisms of defense of its hosts, isessential to better development of therapies and diagnostics.This special issue addresses many of such issues. We havedivided the special issue in two blocks, the first dealing withprotozoan parasites and the second one dealing with differenthelminth infections. In both you will find new and importantinformation related to parasitic diseases.

In our first block (protozoan infections) we started witha very opportune review by A. Vazquez-Mendoza et al.“Parasitic infections: a role for C-type lectins receptors” wherethey describe how important, as well as complicated, isthe early recognition of parasites by C-type lectin receptors(CLRs), which are expressed by distinct subsets of dendriticcells and macrophages. They address the question: howare CLRs involved in both pathogen recognition and the

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internalization of parasites? They conclude that parasiterecognition through different carbohydrates localized on itssurface or in the excretory/secretory products are essentialto the outcome of the infection, and this seems as a newopportunity area to block the entrance or increase theimmune response against them. Next, we have a coupleof papers related to amoebiaisis studies: first M. Omana-Molina et al., propose a new role for the proteases fromAcanthamoeba in the tissue invasion in “Reevaluating the roleof acanthamoeba proteases in tissue invasion: observation ofcytopathogenic mechanisms on MDCK cell monolayers andhamster corneal cells”. As they remark, the most importantobservation in this study was the fact that proteases appar-ently do not participate in tissue destruction. By challengingthe paradigm, they found that no lysis of corneal tissuewas observed as it was previously suggested. Thus, theirresults support the notion that the invasion and disruptionof corneal tissue during acantamoebiasis is performed by thepenetration of the amoebae through cell junctions, either bythe action of proteases promoting cellular separation but notby their destruction and/or a mechanical effect exerted byamoebae. In the second one H. Aguilar-Diaz et al. used newtechnology tools to demonstrate that silencing an enzymein Entamoeba histolytica avoids the formation of cysts. Thisis very important finding since encystment is an essentialprocess in the biological cycle of the human parasite E.histolytica; these findings may allow to develop new controlstrategies against this parasite as stated in “Silencing ofEntamoeba histolytica glucosamine 6-phosphate isomerase byRNA interference inhibits the formation of cyst-like structures”.

Trypanosomatids parasites are a group of protozoan thatimportantly affects humans. In this area C. Lugo-Caballeroet al. in “Identification of protein complex associated withLYT1 of Trypanosoma cruzi” identified a protein complexassociatedwith LYT1 inTrypanosoma cruzi.This is importantbecause few molecules have been reported participating inthe intracellular phase ofT. cruzi life cycle.Their approach ledthem to identify the LYT1 interaction profile, thereby provid-ing insights into the molecular mechanisms that contributeto parasite stage development and pathogenesis. In anotherstudy, J. A. Dıaz-Gandarilla et al. “PPAR activation inducesM1macrophage polarization via cPLA2-COX-2 inhibition, acti-vating ROS production against LeishmaniaMexicana” showedthat PPAR activation induces M1 macrophage polarizationvia cPLA2-COX-2 inhibition, thus, activating ROS produc-tion against Leishmania mexicana. By doing a very thoroughanalysis, they conclude that PPAR agonists used in theirwork induce M1 macrophages polarization via inhibition ofcPLA2 and the increase of aggressive microbicidal activityvia reactive oxygen species production. To finalize with thecollaborations in this topic, Y. Flores-Garcıa et al. “CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+ Treg cells induced by rSSP4 derived fromT. cruzi amastigotes increase parasitemia in an experimentalchagas disease model” discuss the role in Treg cells inducedby rSSP4 derived fromT. cruzi amastigotes have in increasingparasitemia in an experimental Chagas’ disease model. Asauthors state, currently, there is a considerable controversyon the role of Treg cells during T. cruzi infection, themain point being whether these cells play a negative or a

positive role. They found that the adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+ FOXP3+ T cells from rSSP4- (a recombinant T. cruziamastigote derived protein) reduces cardiac inflammationand prolongs hosts’ survival but at the same time, increasesblood parasitemia and parasite loads in the heart.

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexuallytransmitted infections in the world; in this issue F. J. Rendon-Gandarilla et al., by studying Trichomonas vaginalis cytoad-herence, found that the TvLEGU-1, a legumain-like cysteineproteinase, plays a key role in pathogenesis of this parasite.

In our second section, related with helminth infections,several authors discuss relevant issues associated with thesewidely distributed infections.

B. Faz-Lopez et al. in “Signal transducer and activatorof transcription factor 6 signaling contributes to Control hostlung pathology but favors susceptibility against Toxocara canisinfection” found that the signal transducer and activatorof transcription factor 6 signaling contributes to controlhost lung pathology during T. canis infection. However,though it helps in the lung, it does favor to increase thesusceptibility against this widely distributed parasite. Theirfindings demonstrate that a Th2-like response induced viaSTAT6-mediated signaling pathway mediates susceptibilityto larval stage of T. canis. Furthermore, they also indicate thatunlike most gastrointestinal helminths, immunity againstlarvae of T. canis is not mediated by a Th2-dominantresponse.

Taenia crassiceps is a cestode parasite of rodents (in itslarval stage) and canids (in its adult stage) that can alsoparasitize immunocompromised humans. In the case of thehygiene hypothesis, A. M. Ortiz-Flores et al. in “Taeniacrassiceps infection does not influence the development ofexperimental rheumatoid arthritis” found that T. crassicepsinfection does not influence the development of experimentalrheumatoid arthritis. On the same line, A. N. Peon et al.in “Immunoregulation by Taenia crassiceps and its antigens”discuss the potential role that antigens from T. crassiceps haveas immunoregulators. The authors have discovered that inmice and human cells, the whole parasite or its antigens havea strong capacity to induce chronic Th2-type responses thatare primarily characterized by high levels of Th2 cytokines,low proliferative responses in lymphocytes, an immatureand LPS-tolerogenic profile in dendritic cells, the recruit-ment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and, specially,alternatively activated macrophages. Thus, they thoroughlyreview the work of others and themselves in regard tothe immune-modulation induced by T. crassiceps and itsantigens and compare their advances in the understandingof this parasitic infection model with the knowledge thathas been obtained from other selected models. Moreover,L. I. Terrazas et al. in the paper “Helminth excreted/secretedantigens repress expression of LPS-induced let-7i but not miR-146a and miR-155 in human dendritic cells” have found thathelminth excreted/secreted antigens of T. crassiceps repressthe expression of LPS-Induced Let-7i but not miR-146a andmiR-155 in human dendritic cells. Since microRNAs haveemerged as early key regulators of immune responses dueto their influence on immune cells’ function and probablythe outcome of several infections. Currently, it is largely

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unknown if helminth parasites and their antigens modifyhost microRNAs expression. This let-7i downregulation indendritic cells constitutes a novel feature of the modulatoryactivity that helminth-derived antigens exert on their host.

Macrophages are also critically involved in the interactionbetween T. crassiceps and the murine host immune system.Also, a strong gender-associated susceptibility to murinecysticercosis has been reported. Thus, C. Togno-Pierce etal. in “Sex-associated expression of Co-stimulatory moleculesCD80, CD86, and accessory molecules, PDL-1, PDL-2 andMHC-II, in F480+ macrophages during murine cysticercosis”examined the sex-associated expression of MHC-II, CD80,CD86, PD-L1, and PD-L2 expressed on peritoneal F4/80+macrophages of BALB/c mice exposed to T. crassiceps totalextract. They found that female mice recruited higher num-ber of macrophages to the peritoneal cavity than males.Furthermore, macrophages from infected animals showedincreased expression of PDL2 and CD80 that was dependentfrom the host gender.Their findings suggest that macrophagerecruitment at early time points during T. crassiceps infectionis a possible mechanism that underlies the differential sex-associated susceptibility displayed by the mouse gender.

Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with Schistosomaspecies, remains an important parasitic zoonosis. In thedesign of a better DNA vaccine against the human trema-todes species of Schistosoma, Y. Cao et al. in “Gene gunbombardment with DNA-coated golden particles enhancedthe protective effect of a DNA vaccine based on thioredoxinglutathione reductase of Schistosoma japonicum” developed agene gun bombardment with DNA-coated golden particlesthat enhanced the protective effect of a DNA vaccine basedon a thioredoxin glutathione reductase of Schistosoma japon-icum, which was very effective when tested in vivo.

In the field of biotechnology, G. Pena et al. in “Invitro ovicidal and cestocidal effects of toxins from Bacillusthuringiensis on the canine and human parasite Dipylidiumcaninum” showed that toxins from B. thuringiensis have astrong in vitro ovicidal and cestocidal effects on the parasiteDipylidium caninum which causes an important zoonosis indogs and humans. B. thuringiensis is a gram-positive soil-dwelling bacterium that is commonly used as a biologicalpesticide. Authors remark that this bacterium may also beused for biological control of helminth parasites in domesticanimals. They found that proteins of the strain GP526 of B.thuringiensis directly act upon D. caninum showing ovicidaland cestocidal effects. Thus, B. thuringiensis is proposed as apotential biological control agent against this zoonosis.

T. Celik et al. in the paper “Toxocara seroprevalence inpatients with idiopathic Parkinson’sDisease: chance associationor coincidence?” studied specific IgG antibodies against T.canis in 50 patients with idiopathic Parkinson and 50 healthyvolunteers. They investigated the clinical history of threepatients infected with T. canis. They also studied specificIgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in these groups.Antibodies anti-Toxocarawere found in 3 idiopathic PD (6%)and antibody titer was not found in control. A patient hadhistory of the presence of dog and current dog ownership.They did not detect any statistically significant association

between T. canis and IPD. But, we believe that further com-prehensive studies are required for understanding whetherthere is a causal relation between toxocariasis and IPD. Inanother nonrelated topic to parasitology, but very importantto immunobiology, M. G. R. Garcıa and F. G. Tamayo in“The importance of the nurse cells and regulatory cells in thecontrol of T lymphocyte responses” discuss the Importanceof the nurse cells in the control of T lymphocyte responses.The modulatory role that neurotransmitters and hormonesplay in these interactions is also revised in their contribution.F. Alba-Hurtado and M. A. Munoz-Guzman in “Immuneresponses associated with resistance to haemonchosis in sheep”review the immune responses associated with resistance tohaemonchosis in sheep. Their contribution examines theactual known on immunological and genetic factors asso-ciated with sheep resistance to infection by Haemonchuscontortus. Interestingly, such resistance appears to be aninheritable genetic trait.

Humanneurocysticercosis byTaenia solium is consideredan emergent severe brain disorder in developing and devel-oped countries.Discovery of new antiparasitic drugs has beenrecently aimed to restrain differentiation and establishmentof the T. solium adult tapeworm, for being considered a cen-tral node in the disease propagation to both pigs and humans.On regard to new parasiticidal drugs against T. solium, R.Hernandez-Bello et al. in “A new parasiticidal compound inT. solium cysticercosis” reported a new parasiticidal com-pound.They tested the effect that 16𝛼-bromoepiandrosterone(EpiBr), a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) analogue, hadon the cysticerci of T. solium in both in vitro and in vivostudies. Authors showed that in vitro treatment of T. soliumcultures with EpiBr reduced scolex evagination, growth,motility, and viability in a dose- and time-dependent fashion.Administration of EpiBr prior to infection with T. soliumcysticerci in hamsters reduced the number and size of devel-oped tapeworms in the intestine, compared with controls.These effects were associated with an increase in splenocyteproliferation in infected hamsters. These results leave openthe possibility of assessing the potential of this hormonalanalogue as a possible antiparasite drug, particularly incysticercosis and taeniosis. Finally, G. Escobedo et al. in“Tamoxifen treatment in hamsters induces protection duringtaeniosis by Taenia solium” demonstrated that tamoxifen (ananti-oestrogen) treatment in hamsters induces protectionduring taeniosis by Taenia solium. Their results showed thattamoxifen inhibited evagination of T. solium cysticerci ina dose-time-dependent manner. In vivo, administration oftamoxifen to hamsters decreased the intestinal establishmentof the parasite by 70%, while recovered tapeworms showedan 80% reduction in length, appearing as scolices withoutstrobilar development. Since tamoxifen did not show anysignificant effect on the proliferation of antigen-specificimmune cells, intestinal inflammation, and expression ofTh1/Th2 cytokines, in spleen and duodenum, this drug couldexert its antiparasite actions by having direct detrimentaleffects upon the adult tapeworm.

We hope our readers find this third special issue ofenticing and enjoy reading contributions by all authors.

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Acknowledgments

The guest editors want to acknowledge the financial sup-port from Consejo Mexiquense de Ciencia y Tecnologıa(COMECyT) and from Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologıadel Distrito Federal (ICyTDF), in organizing the V MexicanImmunoparasitology meeting held in October 2012, whichwas the platform for this special issue.

Luis I. TerrazasAbhay R. Satoskar

Miriam Rodriguez-SosaJorge Morales-Montor

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